Iraq's parliament yesterday approved a draft constitution but Sunni Arabs and radical Shia leaders vowed to defeat it in a referendum on October 15.

"The constitution is left to our people to approve or reject," said Jalal Talabani, the country's Kurdish president, at a ceremony after the draft text was read to the National Assembly. "I hope that our people accept it despite some flaws." US President George W. Bush, speaking from his ranch in Texas, praised the constitution, calling it an "inspiration to all those who share the universal values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law".